I often marvel at the fact that my life is so vastly different than it was just a decade ago. Today I’m so connected and online it’s hard to remember how I functioned back then. As a kid I didn’t have a mobile phone, no one else did either, and life was good.

There’s this one occasion I remember when I was around 16 years old. My dad was letting me drive his 1979 white Ford pick up truck that was on its last legs. I remember every morning praying to the powers that be that the truck stay alive on my way to school. Of course, one day it broke down in the middle of a busy thoroughfare during the morning commute hour. It must of been quite a sight – a teenager in a school girl uniform standing in the middle of the street next to a white behemoth trying to flag down fellow drivers for help. I remember feeling super anxious yet powerfully capable, and from the assistance of a few compassionate commuters we managed to push the truck into the Jaguar dealership across the way. After making friends with the car salesmen I called my parents and AAA for help. It all seemed very natural.

Now, transpose that scenario to 2014. In today’s technological context with abundant resources, would I have responded the same? Probably not. Especially not at 16 years old. I probably would have been paralyzed in the cab frantically distracting myself with my phone, waiting helplessly in a bubble of invisibility.

Hands down, my phone has changed my habits drastically.

I am dependent on its companionship. I feel eagerly tethered to its power. With every ding, ring, or beep I jump. I might not get to it right away but knowing something is waiting for me on the other side eats at my attention.

I bring this up because one of the things I often discuss with my friends is how to be more present. As a mom, it’s important that I give my children my full attention. As a wife it’s important that I give my husband the quality of listening that I hope to receive back. But it’s a challenge with so many obligations and distractions I deal with on a constant basis. I find myself pulled in so many directions that I sometimes find myself confused with which direction I’m facing.

My phone doesn’t help.

So I’m taking it back to 1997. No, I’m not committing to get rid of my phone cause that would be just ridiculous. But there is ONE thing I’m committing to not use it for any more… and that’s telling time.

“What time is it?”

Damn, that question is sticky! There are so many times in a day I need to know this answer. What have I come to rely on? My phone. But that darn phone is a black hole! As soon as I check to see the time I notice, “Oh! I’ve got a 3 texts, and a vm, and 4 notifications on Facebook!” Next thing I know, it’s 7 minutes later and my son is pulling on my shirt saying, “Moooooooooommmmm, can we PPPPLLLEEEAAASSSEEE go over to the swings now?” For 7 minutes I forgot I was a robot playing hide and seek.

Easy Fix: Wear A Watch.

I used to love watches. It was such a fun collection to maintain. That love affair somehow faded away and I don’t know exactly when I said goodbye to my faithful companions.

Well, good to see you OLD friend. And I’m talking old… like the watches we wore in 1997… none of these Google Android Inspector Gadget watches now hitting the market. I’m not falling for this next trap. 😉

So there you have it: one easy, quick way to practice living more presently. Use a watch to tell the time. Don’t get me wrong – I love my phone, and I know my phone will continue to be a huge player and distraction in my life. But relying on a watch to answer a question I ask countless times will keep me from unnecessarily slipping into a black hole.

What do you think? Want to join me in this minor lifestyle adjustment? If you’ve also been working to be less distracted by your phone, what other tips could you share for the rest of us? Thanks in advance for your contributions! Here’s to living purposefully and presently… and loving every minute of it. 🙂

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Amy Eliza Wong is a life coach, writer, and speaker in the Sacramento, CA area committed to helping people figure out what makes them tick so they can finally live with joy and real purpose. Learn more about working with her.

15 Comments

15 Responses to What I’ll Never Use My Phone For Again

You are amazing! I have a watch but am constantly using my ipod. When I’m off wifi I don’t get to see anything but it has taken over my life. I will definitely commit to using my watch from now on! It seems like an amazing commitment. Thank you so much for sharing.

Thanks for the post Amy! I completely agree. My phone as helpful as it is really interferes with my focus and presence during the day. Recently, I designated a place for it in our kitchen and try not to use it anywhere else. We don’t have a home phone so it’s a little challenging but it has really helped. I’m also trying to use our actual camera for pictures in the house rather than the phone so the kids don’t see me fussing with it as much. It seems like a constant battle but so worth the attention and mindfulness.

I have no smart phone, I do have an emergency phone. The little “Jitterbug” phone is nothing but a phone, but I like to have it when I drive somewhere. I do have three watches and use all three of them. Time goes to fast when you are 72 to waste it with your face glued to a smart phone. Too many other people to see and love and talk with. Keep up the good work…

Yes, you are on to something here. I find it funny that when I do wear a watch I don’t even think of checking my phone for time. It as if it was instinctual to reference my watch… Now I just need to remember to put it in:)

I just bought two watches last week (fashion, you know) because my phone is always in my pants pocket. It takes more ergs to fetch my phone, especially when driving (don’t tell anyone), than it does to hold my wrist at a counterpoint to my eyes to simply check the time. This is simply mechanical physics, yes?

About two years ago, I heard a coworker talk about his daughter who was making fun of him for having a wristwatch when he could “just check your phone, Dad”. I abandoned my watch at that point, which had conveniently just died. Ever since, I’ve been using additional physical energy to retrieve my freaking phone from my pocket just to see the time (in the way of rushed corporate employees and overbooked family members).

I am SO pleased with my new watches – all I have to do is turn my wrist toward my face during those meetings that make me fall asleep. Et, voila! I discover that I only have to endure for a few minutes more. Fishing for my phone, on the other hand, would be a visible intrusion that indicates my boredom with the content of the meeting. Oy, that’s another subject altogether.

This is awesome. I didn’t even THINK about energy efficiency in using a watch instead of a phone. Ha! AND the fact that watches allow you to practice stealth boredom… just brilliant! It’s been a long while since I’ve been in meetings of that nature but how I so remember…
Linda, as always, you’re on to something and then some.;)

I notice how when I am with my grand children they want all of you! So I don,t use my phone only when I have a call and I notice when my daughter and son in law our on their phones to much they act out ! They so want us to be present with them ! What a blessing to stop and just be with them!